For many of us family camping means loading up the pets, along with the people. Just like we prepare for our meals, sleeping arrangements and activities, it’s important to do the same for the animals. Few campers make the kind of preparations Sandy Rusinnak does when she wants enjoy nature.
We met this animal lover at one of Yellowstone National Park’s many campsites. She first caught our attention tending to six birds outside her RV. But after you talk to her for a bit, you’ll find out there are three other not-so-well-behaved birds inside the camper and two dogs.
It may surprise you that Sandy finds it easier to travel with nine birds than a third as many dogs. Preparations for her feathered friends began with a complete overhaul of the RV’s master bedroom. Sandy’s husband took out the bed and bolted nine cages to the walls. They added a baby gate to the doorway just to make sure the dogs can’t get inside.
Once that was done, it was time to figure out what they needed for their two-month long trips. Sandy learned a tough lesson about packing enough food once when she ran out of birdseed. When Sandy couldn’t find a brand she was comfortable giving them, she had the company send more to her campsite. Now she makes sure to bring three 20 lb. bags with her each time she packs. And that’s just the bird food. She packs just as many meals for her two dogs.
Getting the living arrangements ready is the next pre-travelling task. She throws in some doggie beds for the barkers and plenty of newspaper for the birds.
Before you leave for any campsite, head grab your pets’ medical records, including shots. It’s better to have them and not need them than to wish you had them when you do.